Christian Eriksen has made a superb return to international football on the biggest stage of them all, turning out for Denmark against Tunisia in Qatar.
The former Brentford and Tottenham midfielder suffered a cardiac arrest back in 2020, as he fell to the ground during his nations group game against Finland in Copenhagen. Eriksen was treated at both pitchside and in hospital in the days that followed, with fears the talented midfielder would not make it through the events that occurred.
But having since been fitted with an ICD to help with his heart problems, Eriksen returned to Premier League last season, helping Brentford in the second half of the 21/22 campaign. Now, enjoying success under Erik ten Hag this season at Manchester United, it's been a crazy few years for the 30-year-old.
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What happened to Eriksen?
Preparing to take a throw-in during the 42nd minute of the game against Finland, Eriksen suddenly collapsed to the floor much to the shock of everyone inside the Parken Stadium. Players from his team rushed around the former Inter Milan star, as he quickly received on-field medical attention.
With the game subsequently re-arranged for later that evening, Eriksen appeared to be up and well as he was taken off the pitch, with it later emerging how the quick actions of those paramedics inside the stadium ultimately saved his life.
The next day, Denmark team doctor Morten Boesen confirmed that the player had suffered a cardiac arrest, with Eriksen later posting a photo of himself on social media saying that he was "fine under the circumstances". It was announced that he would be fitted with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) to counter "rhythm disturbances", and he underwent a successful operation less than a week after he collapsed.
What has happened to him since?
With other footballers in the past having been fitted with the same device Eriksen has, including national teammate Daley Blind, then club Inter Milan terminated his contract two months after the ordeal in Copenhagen.
Following his release, he began individual training at his former youth side Odense Boldklub, and in January 2022 was offered a shock return to the Premier League, as he signed a six-month contract with newly promoted Brentford.
Returning to his best in the Premier League, the former Spurs man was in decorated form, as he scored once and registered four assists for the Bees, as they finished 13th in their debut season in the top flight. With interest in Eriksen circling, he signed with Manchester United on a three-year deal this summer and has since become one of Ten Hag's most utilised players so far this season.
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